People, Bottom Line, Book & Video Reviews

Books

Airliners In Australian Service Vol 2: Eric Allen

Like few other countries in the world, Australia has relied heavily on aircraft and airliners in the development of the civil transport infrastructure. Airliners in Australian Service Vol 2 is the second in a two book set that details the histories of the major airliners that established and serve Australia’s airlines and world respected air transport system. Airliners Vol 2 (like its predecessor) is based on Australian Aviation’s highly successful In Australian Service column. Reader surveys consistently found this column to be one of the most popular in the magazine, and so the articles have been turned into book form. However, Airliners Vol 2 is far from a simple rehash of the old articles. Each chapter has been thoroughly revised since first published and is up to date to mid 1996, with in many cases new information and documents unearthed since original publication incorporated into the text. The text describes the development history of each airliner, before detailing in depth their service use in Australia. Each aircraft type is also liberally illustrated with photographs (many in colour), a number of which have never before been published. The photographic content also gives good coverage to the lesser known operators, many of which have since folded or have been merged. Airliners Vol 2 also features original, specially commissioned artwork by noted aviation artist, Matthew Tesch, who also illustrated the popular Air Disaster series of books by Macarthur Job. The text, photographs and drawings are backed up by tables on most types listing the individual aircraft’s registrations, owners, and the all important dates of delivery and disposal. Volume 2 details a diverse and fascinating collection of airliners. Chapters detail the Airspeed Ambassador, Avro Anson, Boeing 747, Consolidated Catalina, Convair 240/340/440 family, Douglas DC-4, Fokker F28 Fellowship, Douglas DC-6, Lockheed Constellation, McDonnell Douglas DC-9, Lockheed Hudson, Noorduyn Norseman, Vickers Viscount, de Havilland Heron, Boeing 727, Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. Airliners Vol 2 will become available at most major newsagents (in softcover only) from mid October, or direct from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 1777, Fyshwick ACT 2609, ph (06) 280 0111, fax (06) 280 0007, for $24.95 including postage for softcover, or $34.95 for hardcover, inc p&p, or refer advert on page 59 of this issue.

Videos

P-51 Mustang Fighter: One of the all time great fighters of the world, the Mustang is on the flying wish list of many pilots and non pilots alike. Presented by Jeffrey Ethell, this video gives a wonderful insight into flying the Mustang today and is interspersed with some wartime footage and historical comment. Viewers are given firstly a brief history of the Mustang before a thorough preflight inspection of the aircraft and run down of the systems from the cockpit. Start up is fantastic with that 12 cylinder Merlin engine coughing to life. The video then becomes a visual feast as the Mustang loops and barrel rolls its way around southern California. The video is professionally presented and gives excellent details of all important systems on the aircraft and its handling characteristics. The photography is also superb with a number of cameras being situated around the aircraft and the cockpit. This video is one of a series which includes the B-25, B-17 and P-40. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in warbirds. Available from Skylines Aviation Supply, PO Box 767 Braeside Vic 3195.